Bold, Lusty Lips

A foxy, full-strength red on your mouth will really get his adrenaline pumping, day or night.

Sep 1, 2007

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Move over, sheer gloss. Daring, luscious red lips are ripe right now. The fierce, just-bitten look appeared all over the fashion runways, making it a hot beauty obsession worth knocking off. "This is a big moment for deep red," says Max Factor makeup artist Pat McGrath. "The color makes you look so sexy and dangerous at the same time. I love it." Guys dig the sirenlike effect too. "Voluptuous, dark red lips signal to men that a woman is in her prime and full of energy, which makes her incredibly attractive," says relationship expert Scott Kudia, PhD. Your striking lips will set him ablaze, but you don't want anything to backfire — like having the color stain your guy's collar (ooh, bad) or rub off on your teeth (worse). Follow the advice here and you can safely ditch the neutrals for a while and dive into more intense shades. We dare you!

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1. Prep Your Pout

Smooth, soft lips are the best canvases for rich hues. To avoid any flaking or dryness, prime your kisser in three ways.

First, massage in a generous dose of lip balm (like Rosebud Salve, $6). "Its conditioning agents will plump chapped lips and fill in cracks," says makeup artist Susan Giordano. It's a good idea to rub it in for 30 seconds or so. This helps stimulate your blood vessels, which ensures your lips will look their fullest. Next, run a dry toothbrush or wet washcloth over your mouth to slough off dead skin cells. You also can polish with a small handful of sugar (just lick off any excess, yum). It melts quickly, so it won't irritate delicate skin. Finish by blotting with a tissue to soak up any leftover residue that can make your lipstick slide off. If you're still dry or chapped, dab on a tiny drop of moisturizer, like Clinique All About Lips, $20.

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2. Lay It On

For voluptuous lips, beauty pros say it's best to apply lipstick straight from the tube. "Using your fingers or even a lip brush will spread out the product, making the color too sheer," says makeup artist Matthew Nigara, who gave models sultry red pouts for Diane von Furstenberg's fall runway show. Other tips:

Start at the middle of your lips, and work the color to the outer edges. To keep from looking clownish, stay away from the corners — the color will migrate there on its own. For the most precise application, let your lips go a bit slack (puckering too much can make it hard to get an even finish). Apply one coat, then blot with a tissue to lift away any excess pigment. Do another layer for deeper color, and try not to rub lips together afterward. "That will cause the color to smear and smudge all over," says Lancôme national artistic director Ross Burton.

3. Lock It Down

Almost there! To make everything last, trace the outer edges of your lips with a clear liner (like Bourjois Transparent Lip Liner, $12). "The waxy texture keeps color pigments from bleeding to other areas," says Burton. And since it's transparent, there's no danger of ring-around-the-mouth.

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